USFRA UNVEILS FINALISTS FOR FACES OF FARMING AND RANCHING PROGRAM

NOVEMBER 2012

Share

(Posted Mon. Nov 19th, 2012)

Nov. 19: Last week in New York, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance announced the finalists of its Faces of Farming and Ranching program, a nationwide search launched earlier this summer to help put real faces on agriculture at the national level.

The National Corn Growers Association is a proud founding affiliate of USFRA, the first time agricultural groups at the national, regional and state levels have collaborated to lead the dialogue and answer Americans’ questions about how we raise our food – while being stewards of the environment, responsibly caring for our animals and maintaining strong businesses and communities.

For the Faces of Farming and Ranching Program, more than 100 applications were received from passionate, dedicated farmers and ranchers from across the nation, nine of whom were selected as finalists. Chris Chinn (Missouri), Will Gilmer (Ala.), Daphne Holterman (Wis.), Brenda Kirsch (Ore.), Tim Nilsen (Calif.), Eric McClam (S.C.), Katie Pratt (Ill.), Bo Stone (N.C.), Janice Wolfinger (Ohio) were all named program finalists.

“The nine candidates selected reflect the extent of diversity in agriculture across the nation,” says Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “These exceptional farmers and ranchers can bring the reality of farming and ranching to the forefront for consumers, mainstream media and influencers to develop a relationship and learn more about how food gets from the farm or ranch to their plates.”

Through Dec. 15, people can visit www.fooddialogues.com to learn more about each of the nine finalists and the work they do. Consumers, farmers and ranchers are asked to vote for who they believe best represents those across the country who work to bring food to the table. These votes will be factored into the decision to determine the Faces of Farming and Ranching.

In addition to the public vote, a panel of judges will interview and evaluate the finalists to help determine the winners of Faces of Farming and Ranching. Winners will be announced in early January 2013.